 |
Introduction | Appleton | Berkshire | Bethlehem | New York City | Spokane |
Helping to drive the success of all of Guardian's community involvement efforts is the time and talent that our associates from across the enterprise contribute to affect change and help their fellow Americans in need. It's this involvement and commitment to making a difference that provides an opportunity for our company to demonstrate who we are and what we stand for, while also illustrating notable examples of our values in action
Guardian has demonstrated its commitment to helping others through a host of fundraising initiatives and events, even in the face of difficult economic times. Guardian associates in New York and Bethlehem proudly took part in several Habitat for Humanity Build Days, while many others from throughout our locations nationwide participated in a wide array of charitable walks, bake sales, and community enhancement initiatives, benefiting charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Among the national organizations we support are the American Cancer Society, United Way, American Heart Association, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, March of Dimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Special Olympics. On the local level, we provide support for several organizations that meet pressing community needs by mobilizing volunteer service. Some notable examples include New York Cares, Rebuilding Together Fox Valley, Berkshire County Educational Enrichment Funds, and the Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley.
Associates from our Appleton, Wisconsin home office have increased their fundraising initiatives and volunteer efforts to help a significant number of local organizations and individuals. Their Community Involvement Committee organizes many of these events.
The office has been involved in the Guardian Kids Fun Run, Salvation Army Outagamie County Extension Service Unit Food Drive, Flood Victim Relief Drive, Back-to-School Supply Drive, Stuffed Animals for the Nicaraguan Children Drive, Toys for Tots, Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society, and Community Blood Center Blood Drives.
Guardian has granted funding or sponsored a major event for several organizations, including the Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley, Harbor House, Habitat for Humanity, University of Wisconsin Fox Foundation, Community Benefit Tree, Special Olympics of Wisconsin, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Boys' & Girls' Brigade, and St. Joseph's Food Pantry, among others.
The company will be sponsoring the Rebuilding Together Fox Valley organization's "Project Day 2009" initiative. This group rehabilitates houses for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, from communities in the Fox Valley.
Located in a largely rural community in Western Massachusetts, Berkshire focuses much of its charitable activity on youth, particularly those at risk. In recent years, Berkshire has supported local programs such as:
 | Berkshire Educational Enrichment Initiative, which supports the maintenance of endowed enrichment funds in each of the 13 public school districts in and around Berkshire County |
|
| Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative, a state-sponsored pilot program to provide laptops for all middle- and high-school students in the cities of Pittsfield and North Adams, Massachusetts |
|
| Housatonic Academy, providing special education and clinical service for children from ages 8 to 18 who, prior to its founding in 2004, had to be bused outside of the County for specialized education and treatment |
|
| Pediatric Development Center, offering early intervention therapy and family support for children with special needs from birth to age three |
|
| Playwright Mentoring Program, a Barrington Stage Company theatre program for at-risk youth, presented with the Coming Up Taller Award by the White House in 2008 |
|
| Shakespeare in the Courts, a collaboration between Shakespeare & Company and the Berkshire Juvenile Court, presented with the Coming Up Taller Award by the White House in 2006 |
|
Through its giving, Berkshire also strives to improve the lives of Berkshire County citizens with disabilities, as well as the elderly, in alignment with its disability income insurance and long term care insurance lines of business.
In addition, Berkshire strongly encourages a culture of community commitment among its associates. Each year, employees may apply for one of five Outstanding Community Service Awards, which provide grants to the non-profit agencies for which they volunteer outside of work.
Beyond their individual volunteer efforts, Berkshire associates collaborate annually to form teams for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and the American Heart Association's Heart Walk. And, every year, employees contribute generously—both through individual pledges and revenues from a week of home office fundraising activities—to the Berkshire United Way, which supports 40 local non-profit agencies. In 2008, nearly $120,000 was raised or donated by Berkshire employees
Associates in our Bethlehem, PA regional office have raised funds and volunteered their time for a number of charitable institutions. Local associates donated generously through the company's annual United Way Campaign. The office has worked with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society since 1992. They recently raised money for the MS Walk 2008 and held a dress down day to benefit the organization. The "Guardian for Life" team has participated in the 24-hour walk/run event for the American Cancer Society for nine years. They kicked off this season's fundraiser with a "Sweets and Treats" party, Relay for Life dance, and dress down day.
MS Walk 2000
The American Heart Association's Heart Walk for the Lehigh Valley region has been held at Guardian's Bethlehem office for 10 years, and the office has sponsored dress down days to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Guardian was also nominated to the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Institute's platinum list for the third year in a row for raising funds to benefit SIDS awareness.
During Musikfest, a 10-day festival devoted to music, 98 Guardian associates signed up to be volunteers. Sixty-four individuals donated their time to work on seven projects for the Volunteer Center of the Greater Lehigh Valley's annual Day of Caring. Guardian has also adopted Johnston Park in downtown Bethlehem, which involves hosting seven clean up days throughout the year.
In addition, dress down days have been held to benefit the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American SIDS Institute, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Half the Sky Foundation Earthquake Fund, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, Autism Speaks, The Caring Place Youth Development Center, Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Guardian associates in the New York Home Office have raised money for a wide range of causes. They recently gathered donations for the American Heart Association in the Wall Street Walk/Run and the American Cancer Society during the Daffodil Days sale and Making Strides walk. They have also begun working on fundraising initiatives for other organizations, such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as well as continuing partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.
Since 1995, Guardian volunteers have raised more than $400,000 through fundraising efforts and matching company donations. The company not only provides matching funds, but also rewards those employees who achieve substantial fundraising levels.
Other projects that Guardian volunteers have worked on include contributing their time to projects in New York City public schools during New York Cares Day, donating coats to the needy in the December coat drive, helping build homes for families with Habitat for Humanity, and sponsoring a series of blood drives with the New York Blood Center.
Our Spokane office is actively involved in giving back to the community, including participating in the United Way fund drive and making contributions to various nonprofit organizations.
Guardian participates in fundraising efforts for several organizations, such as the Fallen Leaf Run and Walk for SIDS, American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Walk for the Cure, and American Heart Association's Relay for Life. During the holiday season, the office collects donations for Toys for Tots, food drives, and a Tree of Caring. These donations go to help families who are less fortunate.
| |
